https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=South_East_Asia_Cultural_OrganisationSouth East Asia Cultural Organisation - Revision history2026-08-19T05:29:03ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_East_Asia_Cultural_Organisation&diff=443652&oldid=prevSonOfZeus: Created page with "{{Short description|International cultural organization}} {{Distinguish|Southeast Asia Treaty Organization|ASEAN{{!}}Association of Southeast Asian Nations}} {{Contains special characters|Meitei}} {{Infobox organization | name = South East Asia Cultural Organisation | full_name = South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) | native_name = <!-- organization's name in its local language --> | native_name_lang = <!-- re..."2024-02-11T17:01:33Z<p>Created page with "{{Short description|International cultural organization}} {{Distinguish|Southeast Asia Treaty Organization|ASEAN{{!}}Association of Southeast Asian Nations}} {{Contains special characters|Meitei}} {{Infobox organization | name = South East Asia Cultural Organisation | full_name = South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) | native_name = <!-- organization's name in its local language --> | native_name_lang = <!-- re..."</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|International cultural organization}}<br />
{{Distinguish|Southeast Asia Treaty Organization|ASEAN{{!}}Association of Southeast Asian Nations}}<br />
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox organization<br />
| name = South East Asia Cultural Organisation<br />
| full_name = South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO)<br />
| native_name = <!-- organization's name in its local language --><br />
| native_name_lang = <!-- required ISO 639-1 code of the above native language --><br />
| logo = <br />
| logo_size = <br />
| logo_alt = <br />
| logo_caption = <br />
| image = The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <!-- see [[WP:ALT]] --><br />
| caption = The South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) works for the development of the [[Sanamahism|Sanamahi religion]] of the [[Meitei people]] of {{langnf|mni|[[Manipur|Kangleipak]]|Manipur}} at international level. <br />
| map = <!-- map image --><br />
| map_size = <!-- defaults to 250px --><br />
| map_alt = <br />
| map_caption = <br />
| map2 = <!-- 2nd map image, if required --><br />
| map2_size = <br />
| map2_alt = <br />
| map2_caption = <br />
| abbreviation = SEACO<br />
| nickname = <br />
| pronounce = <br />
| pronounce ref = <br />
| pronounce comment = <br />
| pronounce 2 = <br />
| named_after = [[Southeast Asia]]<br />
| predecessor = <br />
| merged = <!-- any other organization(s) which it was merged into --><br />
| successor = <br />
| formation = {{start date and age|2011|8|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phurup amagi nat amasung puwari khangdragadi meeyam mamangda lanna wa ngangdaba fei |url=https://www.hoten.life/topics/498/update/9426/phurup-amagi-nat-amasung-puwari-khangdragadi-meeyam-mamangda-lanna-wa-ngangdaba-fei |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=www.hoten.life |language=mni}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ningol chakouba numitna lakpada |url=https://www.hoten.life/topics/491/update/8500/ningol-chakouba-numitna-lakpada |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=www.hoten.life |language=mni}}</ref>{{efn|name=lang|Most of its officially released information are in the [[Meitei language]] (officially called the Manipuri language).}} <!-- or |established = --><!-- use {{start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --><br />
| founder = <!-- or |founders = --><br />
| founding_location = [[Manipur]]<br />
| dissolved = <!-- or |defunct = --><!-- use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --><br />
| merger = <!-- other organizations (if any) merged with, to constitute the new organization --><br />
| type = [[Cultural institution|Cultural]], [[international organization|international]], [[nonprofit organization|non-profit]], [[non-governmental organization|NGO]]<br />
| tax_id = <!-- or |vat_id = (for European organizations) --><br />
| registration_id = <!-- for non-profits --><br />
| status = active <!-- legal status or description (company, charity, foundation, etc.) --><br />
| purpose = humanitarian, activism, peacekeeping<br />
| professional_title = <!-- for professional associations --><br />
| headquarters = [[Imphal]], [[India]]<br />
| location_city = [[Imphal]]<br />
| location_country = India<br />
| location_city2 = [[Jiribam]]<ref name=":workshop">{{Cite news |title=SEACO organises workshop on Meetei culture |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/12/13/Our-CorrespondentJIRIBAM-Dec-12-South-East-Asia-Cultural-Organisation-SEACO-on-Saturday-organi.amp.html |access-date=2023-02-10 |newspaper=The Sangai Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
| location_country2 = India<br />
| addnl_location_city = [[Moirang|Moirang Khunou]]<br />
| addnl_location_country = India<ref name=":Moirangkhunou" /><br />
| addnl_location_city2 = <br />
| addnl_location_country2 = <br />
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} --><br />
| origins = {{langnf|mni|[[Manipur|Kangleipak]]|Manipur}}<br />
| region_served = [[Greater India|Indian cultural sphere]] ([[South Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]]) <!-- or |area_served = or |region = --><br />
| products = <!-- or |product = --><br />
| services = <br />
| methods = <!-- or |method = --><br />
| fields = <!-- or |field = --><br />
| membership = <!-- number of members --><br />
| membership_year = <!-- year to which membership numbers/data apply --><br />
| languages = <br />
* [[Meitei language|Meitei]] (officially called Manipuri){{efn|name=lang}} <br />
* [[English language|English]]<br />
| owner = <!-- or |owners = --><br />
| gen_sec = <br />
* Konthoujam Ibochouba Kha-Nganba (as of August 2019<ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite news |date=2019-08-05 |title=South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) celebrates its 9th foundation day |newspaper=Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2019/08/05/south-east-asia-cultural-organisation-seaco-celebrates-9th-foundation-day/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref>) <br />
* Irengbam Indrajit Meetei (as of December 2021)<ref name=":workshop" /> <br />
| leader_title = President <!-- defaults to "Leader" --><br />
| leader_name = Kolomcha Achoubi Khuman<ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite news |date=2019-08-05 |title=South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) celebrates its 9th foundation day |newspaper=Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2019/08/05/south-east-asia-cultural-organisation-seaco-celebrates-9th-foundation-day/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref><br />
| leader_title2 = Advisor<br />
| leader_name2 = Akham Langol<ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite news |date=2019-08-05 |title=South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) celebrates its 9th foundation day |newspaper=Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2019/08/05/south-east-asia-cultural-organisation-seaco-celebrates-9th-foundation-day/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref><br />
| leader_title3 = Working President<br />
| leader_name3 = Sanabam Amuchou Mangang<ref name=":workshop">{{Cite news |title=SEACO organises workshop on Meetei culture |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/12/13/Our-CorrespondentJIRIBAM-Dec-12-South-East-Asia-Cultural-Organisation-SEACO-on-Saturday-organi.amp.html |access-date=2023-02-10 |newspaper=The Sangai Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
| leader_title4 = Chief Advisor<br />
| leader_name4 = Paonam Labango<ref name=":www.imphaltimes.com">{{Cite news |last=Gurumayum |first=William |title=SEACO organises meet to revive Sanamahi cult |newspaper=Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/4639-seaco-organises-meet-to-revive-sanamahi-cult |access-date=2023-02-10 |language=en-gb}}</ref><br />
| board_of_directors = <br />
| key_people = <br />
* [[Jiribam|Jiri]] Branch<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
** L Nilla Moirangcha (president)<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
** K Babudhon Luwang (vice president)<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
** Y Naba Khumancha (working president)<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
** Sagolsem Sarat Mangang (general secretary)<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
** S Chaoba Moirangcha (treasurer)<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
** Ch Keba (information & publicity secretary)<ref name=":workshop" /> <br />
** S Lalmani (advisor)<ref name=":workshop" /><br />
* Moirang Khunou branch<ref name=":Moirangkhunou" /><br />
** L Gouramani (vice president)<ref name=":Moirangkhunou">{{Cite web |title=Public meeting conducted: 16th jan23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=21..160123.jan23 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
| main_organ = <!-- or |publication = --><!-- organization's principal body (assembly, committee, board, etc.) or publication --><br />
| parent_organization = <!-- or |parent_organisation = --><br />
| subsidiaries = <br />
| secessions = <br />
| affiliations = [[Sanamahism]] (traditional Meitei religion) <br />
| budget = <br />
| budget_year = <br />
| revenue = <br />
| revenue_year = <br />
| disbursements = <br />
| expenses = <br />
| expenses_year = <br />
| endowment = <br />
| endowment_year = <br />
| funding = <!-- source of funding e.g. for "think tanks" --><br />
| staff = <br />
| staff_year = <br />
| volunteers = <br />
| volunteers_year = <br />
| students = <br />
| students_year = <br />
| awards = <br />
| website = <!-- {{Official URL}} or {{URL|example.com}} --><br />
| remarks = <br />
| formerly = <!-- or |former_name = --><br />
| footnotes = <br />
| bodystyle = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
The '''South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO)''' is an [[international organization|international]] [[cultural institution|cultural organization]] that works for the development of the [[Meitei culture]] of {{langnf|mni|[[Manipur|Kangleipak]]|Manipur}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SEACO organises workshop on Meetei culture: 13th dec21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=21..131221.dec21 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref> <br />
It aims to preserve the unique history, culture, identity, and religion of [[Manipur]].<br />
It also advocates to take ''"extra caution about the issue of preservation of the cultural identity of the [[Indigenous peoples|Indigenous people]] in the wake of the present [[globalization]]"''.<ref name=":Pothashang">{{Cite news |date=2019-08-05 |title=South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) celebrates its 9th foundation day |newspaper=Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2019/08/05/south-east-asia-cultural-organisation-seaco-celebrates-9th-foundation-day/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaikhangam asserts for cultural promotion on SEACO foundation day: 06th aug14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=12..060814.aug14 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Activism for Sanamahi religion ==<br />
=== Cultural revivalism of religious festivals ===<br />
The SEACO is working on the revival of the Meitei religious festivals, including the worship of [[Pisatao]] ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|[[ꯄꯤꯁꯥꯇꯥꯎ]]}}}}) and the [[Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba]] ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|[[ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯑꯍꯣꯡ ꯈꯣꯡ ꯆꯤꯡꯕ]]}}}}), which were replaced by the [[Vishwakarma Puja]] and the [[Ratha Yatra]] respectively in the 18th-19th centuries in {{langnf|mni|[[Kangleipak]]|[[Manipur]]}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) urges: 10th apr12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=12..100412.apr12 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== Worship of Lainingthou Pisatao Khutheiba ====<br />
Every year, the SEACO is working on the revivalism of the worship of god [[Lainingthou Pisatao Khutheiba]] ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|[[ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯄꯤꯁꯥꯇꯥꯎ ꯈꯨꯠꯍꯩꯕ]]}}}}) among the people, especially craftsmen, artisans and architects of Kangleipak. Historically, the worship of [[Pisatao]] was replaced by the [[Vishwakarma Puja]] during the reign of King [[Chandrakirti Singh]] in [[Manipur Kingdom]].<br />
Presently, the SEACO is also providing holy images of the [[ancient Meitei deity]] to the devotees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khumukcham |first=Rinku |title=SEACO appeals to celebrate Pisatao Lainingthou |newspaper=Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/3657-seaco-appeals-to-celebrate-pisatao-lainingthou |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lainingthou Pisatao Khutheiba on Sep 17: 16th sep21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=59..160921.sep21 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Pisatao Khutheiba day |newspaper=Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/3702-pisatao-khutheibi-day |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-gb}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== Worship of Humpu Leima Narengshubi ====<br />
The SEACO requested the people of Kangleipak to worship goddess Shingjakhombi Humpu Leima Narengshubi ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|ꯁꯤꯡꯖꯥꯈꯣꯝꯕꯤ ꯍꯨꯝꯄꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ ꯅꯥꯔꯦꯡꯁꯨꯕꯤ}}}}), the [[ancient Meitei deity]] of education and learning. Historically, her cult was replaced by that of [[Saraswati]] during the reign of King [[Chandrakirti Singh]] on 12th February, 1868.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gurumayum |first=William |title=SEACO to worship Humpu Leima Narengshubi |newspaper=Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/1898-seaco-to-worship-humpu-leima-narengshubi |access-date=2023-02-12 |language=en-gb}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Revivalism of goddess Panthoibi's cult ===<br />
Since October 2012, the SEACO was extending monetary help to the people who organise the worship of [[ancient Meitei goddess]] [[Panthoibi]] ([[Panthoibi Iratpa]]) and who embrace the Meitei religion ([[Sanamahism]]) to save the ''"almost extinct culture, social norms, traditions, belief"'' of the [[Meitei people]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) announces monetary aid: 05th oct12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=33..051012.oct12 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Efforts of cultural purity ===<br />
While wishing people for [[Sajibu Nongma Panba]] ([[Sajibu Cheiraoba]]), the traditional [[New Year]] day of the [[Meitei people|Meiteis]], the SEACO earnestly requested people not to mix the indigenous culture with the culture of others, like mixing it with that of [[Charak Puja]]. According to the SEACO, such mixing of indigenous cultures with non native cultures will defame the rich culture of the [[Meitei people]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SEACO greets people on Cheiraoba: 28th mar17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=25..280317.mar17 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
=== Symposium ===<br />
In 2016, the SEACO organised an [[academic meeting]] discussing about the revivalism of the [[Sanamahism]], at Ireima Laibung, Pukhoa in [[Imphal East]]. During that session, it was said that ''"reviving of the indigenous cult is the only means for protection and safeguarding"'' of the identity of the [[Meitei ethnicity]].<ref name=":www.imphaltimes.com">{{Cite news |last=Gurumayum |first=William |title=SEACO organises meet to revive Sanamahi cult |newspaper=Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/4639-seaco-organises-meet-to-revive-sanamahi-cult |access-date=2023-02-10 |language=en-gb}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Advocacy for official recognition ===<br />
In 2020, the SEACO advocated for the official recognition of the [[Sanamahi religion]] ({{lang-mni|{{script|mtei|[[ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ]]}}|[[Sanamahi Laining]]}}) as the minority religion of India in the census data of the year 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sanamahi Laining |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/12/29/IMPHAL-Dec-29-The-South-East-Asia-Cultural-Organisation-SEACO-has-appealed-the-Government-to-recognise-and-include-Sanamahi-Laining-as-a-religion-in-the-coming-census-of-2021-In-a-statement-i.html |access-date=2023-02-10 |newspaper=The Sangai Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SEACO urgs govt to include Sanamahi religion as minority religion: 03rd mar20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=4..030320.mar20 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
In 2021, supporting the development of the [[Sanamahism]], the SEACO thanked [[Nongthombam Biren]], the then [[Chief Minister of Manipur]], for his promise of the inclusion of the [[Sanamahi religion]] in the 2021 [[census of India]].<br />
<br />
== Activism in health sector ==<br />
The SEACO urged the authority concerned ([[National Medical Commission]]) for increasing the number of seats of the admission to the [[MBBS]] in [[Manipur]] from 100 to 150 seats, stressing out the fact that the ratio between population of Manipur and the number of doctors serving in the state is highly disproportionate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SEACO appeals Manipur government to increase MBBS seats |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/3646/seaco-appeals-manipur-government-to-increase-mbbs-seats |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=[[Imphal Free Press]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Protests against CAB ==<br />
{{Main|Citizenship Amendment Act protests}}<br />
Before the [[Citizenship Amendment Bill]] was passed as the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019]], the SEACO protested against the [[Bill (law)|bill]] for having some controversies. They stated that the bill (if passed as an act) will wipe out the [[indigenous people]] from [[Northeast India]], as the provision of the bill allows the granting of citizenship to the migrants in India. They opposed the implementation of the bill (now an act) in the [[Northeastern India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Citizenship Amendment Bill should not be implemented in North East: 15th jan19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=4..150119.jan19 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[International Sanamahism Students' Association]] (ISSA) <br />
* [[Kangla Khunthokyai Apul Luplel]] (KAKHAL) <br />
* [[Lainingthou Sanna Mahee Sanna Pung, Kangleipak|Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung]] (LSSP) <br />
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board]] (LSTB)<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
{{Notelist}}<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=South+East+Asia+Cultural+Organisation+%28SEACO%29&sa.x=0&sa.y=0 South East Asia Cultural Organisation] at {{URL|e-pao.net}}<br />
* [http://kanglaonline.com/tag/south-east-asia-cultural-organisation/ South East Asia Cultural Organisation] at {{URL|kanglaonline.com}}<br />
* [https://www.ifp.co.in/tag/seaco SEACO] at [[Imphal Free Press]]<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Cultural organizations]]<br />
[[Category:International organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Meitei culture]]<br />
[[Category:Non-governmental organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Organisations based in Imphal]]<br />
[[Category:International religious organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Sanamahism]]<br />
[[Category:Southeast Asia]]</div>SonOfZeus